The Healing Power of Animals
by Pat Sullivan
 Kathryn Jean Gress has a special gift … she helps children heal emotionally and psychologically by introducing them to her therapy animals and letting nature take its course. During her 12 years of service as a psychiatric nurse therapist at KidsPeace, Gress has found that even the most withdrawn, troubled child will undergo transformation in the company of her therapy animals.
Dogs, cats and pigs, all trained and certified, accompany Gress to the KidsPeace Advances Program in Temple, PA, where kids receive unconditional love from these animals and learn to give love in return. “I have seen children who would not talk or smile or show any emotion light up when coming in contact with one of my special animals,” says Gress.
Bonding usually begins with a tentative touch and progresses to petting, hugging, talking to and eventually loving the four-legged ambassadors of emotional stability.
Among the benefits children experience when interacting with Gress’ animals are:
• Animals elicit cheerfulness and happiness
• Animals increase self esteem by accepting each child unconditionally
• Animal visits give children something to look forward to
• Children may talk to animals about their feelings
• Animals bring back memories of children’s own pets
• The presence of an animal may make it easier for a child to talk to a therapist
• Reading aloud to animals can help children with reading problems
• Animal visits are entertaining and a change in routine
• Animals may encourage children to give and receive affection
• Visits from animals have a calming effect on clients and can even lower blood pressure
• Visits from animals create positive memories for children to cherish and remember.
Gress stresses that she “partners” with her animals to provide therapy to children and families. “I have been asked by parents to help their children who mistreat animals to learn gentleness and to interact with all creatures with dignity and respect. I tell them that they should never scream at or physically abuse an animal or person.” Even parents can benefit from being around the animals, as Gress witnessed recently when a father who was angry in a family therapy session totally changed his demeanor when introduced to her therapy dog, Rocky. “Being with this gentle animal interrupted his negative thought patterns and gave him a common thread with his child,” says Gress. She explains that working with the animals helps overweight kids get outside and exercise. In addition to her assigned clients, Gress visits with many other kids who can benefit from her animals because she believes in the transforming power of her animals.
On a typical afternoon, a visitor to the KidsPeace Advances school might notice a group of children walking the grounds with two potbellied pigs, a Great Pyrenees Dog and a New Zealand white rabbit. The dog and pigs are on leashes, and the rabbit is carried lovingly in a soft plush pet bed. The children talk happily among themselves and to the animals. No one competes for attention; there is enough love to go around.
The female pig, Pearl, has “attitude” and a stubborn streak, according to some of the older girls. Pearl, who is in the “terrible twos,” teaches the students a lot about oppositional defiance and following directions. Leroy, the male pig, was rescued from California. “He is much better off now,” Gress beams, “and he has a job here.”
The children at this school, which provides acute, sub-acute and school-based care to students who receive special or regular education in grades 1–12, are rewarded for good behavior and progress toward treatment goals with opportunities to walk and closely interact with the animals.
The favorite therapy animal is definitely Rocky, a Great Pyrenees dog, who calmly receives hugs, kisses, requests for his paw and conversation from everyone around him. At only 24 months old, and still going through his training, Rocky is a natural when it comes to interacting with kids. Rocky plays a big part in the “Reading is FUNdamental Program” at Advances. He loves to listen as the children read to him, which, in turn, improves their reading skills.
Clients who participate in Gress’ animal assisted therapy are eager to comment about how they believe the animals help them. “Rocky isn’t mean, and he teaches you how to have patience,” Paula says.
James notes, “I think that animals help you by giving you something to care about. When I am with them I feel safe…”
“Sometimes when I’m lonely, I like to walk the animals .... They know when you’re hurt, and they come near you and they comfort you. They make all of our lives joyful,” says Tasha.
According to Emmy, “The animals that come to our school … have always helped me when I was down. They are a blessing. You know they care for you just by how they act around you.”
Ashley explains, “Rocky came in the door, and I was happy. That day was really bad – I have depression – and his coming in and giving me a kiss made me smile. My heart felt really full.”
Andrew adds, “I like animals because they help me with my anger.”
Teacher Connie Madden believes that the animals help the students learn to care for other living things, while learning to be gentle. “When children are overly excited before a group therapy session, walking one of the therapy animals calms them down and gives them a sense of peace from being outside in the fresh air.”
Counselor Israel Cruz agrees: “I am glad when Kathryn brings the animals to school because they always calm the children down, help them relax and contribute to their learning to make good choices.”
Gress is enthusiastic about the improvement she sees in the clients who interact with her therapy animals. “I see amazing progress in their ability to express their feelings after spending time with Rocky and the others,” she says. “The kids are more peaceful during our group sessions and come out of their protective shells when the animals are around.”
Gress also works with kids in Residential Treatment at KidsPeace in Orefield, PA, who come to her ranch and help care for her 26 animals, all of whom have been rescued, and many of whom require special medical care. And they all need very specific continuing training to ensure that they always bring out the best in the clients they serve.
“It is so gratifying to me that these youngsters volunteer to come to Gress Mountain Ranch to help my husband and me care for the animals,” she says. “These are kids with serious problems to overcome, but they come and feed and groom and clean up after the animals with enthusiasm and without complaining. I couldn’t ask for better ranch hands.” She noted that some clients who are no longer in treatment still come to volunteer at her ranch. “One girl who was a client at the KidsPeace Children’s Hospital feels that the animals helped transform her, and she is here every week to give back. She is going to take classes to become a veterinarian’s assistant,” Gress announces proudly. The kids love the menagerie so much that they want to give back in any way they can, and Gress says that the animals react very positively to the children’s visits and loving care.
For more info:
The Gress Mountain Ranch
3264 Highland Road, Orefield, PA 18069
p: 610.398.2122 e-mail: kgress@entermail.net.
KidsPeace Advances Program
8th and Hay Avenue, Temple, PA 19506
p: 610.929.4670
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